April signifies the beginning of the end for the senior class. Countdowns have been made, invitations sent out and some have already "checked out." But with only three weeks left of this chapter in...

A record-breaking 146 students were inducted into the GEHS chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) on Sunday, the largest induction in the school’s 3-year-history. This is an increase of 38 from...

Four years of involvement in journalism at Gretna Public Schools (GPS) has paid off for senior Madeline Petrick, Editor-in-Chief of The Wingspan, as she has been named Nebraska Student Journalist of the...

With hopes of bringing the big city vibe, the prom committee has decided this year’s prom theme will be “Viva Las Vegas” and will be hosted on April 11 at The Relevant Center in Elkhorn. “I...

Chapsticks scattered on top of a whiteboard, cologne and perfumes taking up an entire shelf, an Iraqi dollar pinned to the wall and a Seahawks flag hanging at the front of the room would seem chaotic to...

DISCLOSURE: This is an opinion article. Please note that unsigned editorials represent the collective opinion of The Wingspan student news staff and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the...

Playing music to energize the crowd, pep band members perform during the winter pep rally on Dec. 2.

In an empty room where no one’s watching, the sound of a guitar begins the start of a song as senior Judah Stegmaier hits record on his phone. He hums along, pausing, rewriting, repeating; it’s...

Students crowded at each classroom door, eyes fixed on the clocks glowing on their phones. The seconds ticked down, and then the bell rang, signaling the end of another school week. But as students rushed...

National Honor Society’s annual Trunk-or-Treat will not happen this year. Instead, the NHS will host a Fall Festival inside the school. The new Fall Festival will be held inside the GEHS commons...

This October, the library isn’t just a place to find a new book, it’s a hub of creativity, competition and community for students with the month-long “Chills and Thrills” event. “October has...

Gretna East is gearing up to launch its first chapter of the Computer Science Honor Society (CSHS) this October, offering those with a passion for computer science the opportunity to give back to the community. “The...

Despite ongoing construction on the Gretna High School (GHS) stadium, the first Griffin home game of the season is still scheduled to be played there on Sept. 12, according to Activities Director Matt...

The Griffin girls’ soccer team qualified for the NSAA Class B State Championship this afternoon with their 4-0 win against the Gretna Dragons at the District Finals game. The Griffins shut out the Dragons,...

After senior Sonora DeFini scored, senior Kendall Dobberstein embraces her.

Having secured a fifth-place finish at the DECA State Career Development Conference in the category of Principles of Business Management and Administration, junior Garrett Tenney has qualified to compete...

Because she knew she would be absent the next day, sophomore Alexis Gilliam meets with science teacher Jess Self during Centers on March 13, to take a chemistry test over stoichiometry that she would miss....

Students at Gretna East might find a reason to smile next week as the Hope Squad launches the very first Hope Week. Similar to a traditional spirit week, each day will have an activity and theme to get...

UPDATE: April 3, 2025 Prom will end at 10 p.m., not 10:30 p.m., as previously stated in this article when it was originally posted on Feb. 5. Inspired by the musical and recent movie adaptation...

As the 2025 Grammys approach this Sunday, the Wingspan's Brayden Hansen and Reese Beery debate and discuss their predictions on who deserves the big four awards: Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Record...

Rounding the corner onto Main Street at Walt Disney World, math teacher Alicia Lahood and her sister, Cydney Granger, pressed on toward Cinderella’s castle. Despite waking up at 1 a.m. and the toll of...

After months of cryptic teasers and anticipation, Spotify Wrapped 2024 is here — and for many, it’s ‘wrapped’ in disappointment rather than celebration. What used to be an early, nostalgia-filled...

To gather donations for the Gretna Neighbors food pantry, Gretna East National Honors Society and Palisades Elementary held their Trunk-or-Treat events on Oct. 24 and Oct. 27. At least two donations were...

After visiting every trunk, a community member and her child purchase a treat from the Kona Ice truck at the Palisades Trunk or Treat. In addition to this, the Palisades event also had a photo booth for...

Dressed up as cookie monsters treats, two middle schoolers hand out not just candy but small prizes too. Cookie monster was a popular theme at the Palisades Trunk or Treat, with three seperate trunks decorated...

Interacting with the Trunk or Treaters, principal Karen Naylor asks a student to give her a thumbs up if he wants an Airhead. While the student was shy at first, he eventually gave in and gave a thumbs...

Attendees were able to guess how much candy was in each pumpkin cup in order to win a prize.

This trunk was unique as the kids had to reach into the Mario mystery box in order to grab a piece of candy. This trunk was always packed at the Palisades Trunk or Treat as it was front and center.

Sitting in front of her Harry Potter themed trunk, principal Karen Naylor gives a handful of candy to the Trunk or Treater. Naylor's trunk was popular at the Palisades Trunk or Treat due to its clever...

In front of her Candy Land themed trunk, kindergarten teacher Molly Harris pulls a former student into a hug on Oct. 24. Harris hadn't seen the student since last school year as the student transferred...

Smiling in front of her spider-themed trunk, community member Shawa Sopiak hands a piece of candy to a Trunk or Treater dressed as Spiderman at the Palisades Trunk or Treat on Oct. 24. Sopiak's third grader...

Instructing each Trunk or Treater how to play, fourth grade teacher Logan Holle watches as a kid dressed as the Mandalorian shoots and scores. The fourth grade trunk was very popular at the Palisades Trunk...

Decked out in a Princess Peach costume, community member Dusti Henrichs smiles as Trunk or Treaters enjoy her Mario themed trunk. Three different trunks at the Palisades Trunk or Treat on Oct. 24. had...

Unloading her donations onto the cart, community member Aimee Hansen smiles. The cart was overflowing with donations for the Gretna Neighbors food pantry, with many bringing more than the required two...

Asking a group of Trunk or Treaters to pose together, guidance counselor Amy Mullenberg snaps a picture of their costumes at the Palisades Trunk or Treat on Oct. 24. Mullenberg was seen documenting the...

After a year jam-packed with notable athletic and academic achievements, Gretna East has inducted 14 students into its inaugural Hall of Fame. In the coming weeks, each of these individuals will be...

DISCLOSURE: This is an opinion article. Please note that unsigned editorials represent the collective opinion of The Wingspan student news staff and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the adviser...

-REVIEW- Despite the two-hour-long line on opening day, Nebraska Crossing’s (NEX) new LEGO Store, the first in the state, is still creating a buzz throughout the Gretna and Omaha area even after being...

DISCLOSURE: This is an opinion article. Please note that unsigned editorials represent the collective opinion of The Wingspan student news staff and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the adviser...

Gretna Public Schools is expanding even more this year with the addition of the new elementary school, Cedar Hollow. Located at 8220 S 170th St., the school will only be at about half capacity for...

The Griffin girls' soccer team officially punched their ticket to the NSAA Class B State Championship this morning with their 10-0 win against the Plattsmouth Blue Devils at the District Finals game....

Before the match, the Griffins huddle and discuss strategy.

Scouting the field for an opening, junior Camryn Reeson prepares to throw the ball into play.

After junior Senora DeFini's successful goal, with assist from junior Kendall Dobberstein, the pair embraces.

Winding up for a kick, junior Senora DeFini attempts to score on the Blue Devils. DeFini ended up missing this particular shot.

Sneaking in between the Blue Devils' players, junior Kendall Dobberstein pushes the ball towards the goal.

Pressuring the Blue Devils' player, junior Karli Williams attempts to steal the ball.

Attempting to get past the Blue Devils' defender, junior Kendall Dobberstein runs the ball down the field.

Dribbling the ball down the field, freshman Libby Hegge moves past the Blue Devils' defense.

Celebrating junior Sonora DeFini's goal, junior Addie LaRock high-fives DeFini while freshman Madi Shelburne runs up to join the pair.

Surrounding their teammate, the Griffins hug and support junior Kendall Dobberstein after breaking the Class B record for most assists within a season. Dobberstein has 29 assists so far this season.

Running down the field, sophomore Annabelle Naylor steals the ball for the Blue Devils' player.

In an act of sportsmanship, the Griffins high-five the Plattsmouth Blue Devils at the end of the game.

Dribbling the ball, junior Kendall Dobberstein makes her way down the field with two Millard South defenders closing in during game one of the Millard South Invite on April 16.

As we enter the long-awaited, week-long break, a new problem arises: how to kill the time. While many opt to go on a trip, for some that isn’t an option. Nevertheless, there are many ways to have fun...

-REVIEW- The latest addition to the Gretna food scene has arrived. The new Hawaiian Bros Island Grill, located near the Gretna Walmart, off Highway 370, officially opens today. To give locals a preview,...

Celebrating his victory, junior Tyler Cox raises his hands after winning the final round of the class competition "musical chairs." This victory pushed the junior class to win the overall, year-round class...

Competing for their class, pep rally class competition competitors collect tennis balls in the "hungry hungry hippos" game.

Excited for her performance, freshman Riyo Spearman smiles while kicking out the mats for their second performance of the spring pep rally.

Participating in the class competition "dizzy bat", junior Camryn Reeson runs through the gym after spinning in circles on the bat. The junior class ended up winning the competition at the pep rally last...

Being a good sport, sophomore Caden Annis smiles after his loss while juniors Tyler Cox and Luke Silliman celebrate. Three juniors made it to the final round of the class competition "musical chairs" last...

Celebrating his victory, junior Tyler Cox raises his hands after winning the final round of the class competition "musical chairs." This victory pushed the junior class to win the overall, year-round class...

Holding her baton up high, freshman Ellisyn Barker poses during her twirling routine at the pep rally. Barker also performed at the winter pep rally on Nov. 16.

Pointing their poms into the sky, the varisty cheer team performs to begin the spring pep rally on March 12.

The influx of restaurants opening up close to the school sparks the question of whether we could ever have open-campus lunch. Open-campus lunch is a realistic option and should be implemented when considering...

New Gretna Public Schools' elementary school boundaries were announced yesterday. These new boundaries are due to the opening of the new Cedar Hollow Elementary and will take effect in August when the...

As applications open up for the National Honor Society, some students may have unanswered questions. Whether they are confused about the application, the meetings or what it means to be a part of the society,...

The air is intense as friends face their next threat. The 20-sided dice knock against the table. Just when they get their hopes up, it lands on the lowest possible outcome: unlucky, number one… Gameplay...

Anytime Gretna Public Schools is in session while other Omaha-area districts have a day off school, like the half-day before Thanksgiving, it’s common to hear complaints and frustrations from the student...

With the writer’s strike, which ended on Sept. 24,  and the actor’s strike, which ended Nov. 9, CBS’s summer staple, “Big Brother 25," was delayed, concluding last week with Jag Bains winning...

-REVIEW- Nine years ago, the very first “Five Nights at Freddy’s” video game was published by a small game developer named Scott Cawthon. At first, the game told the story of a lonely night shift...

The Bennington Badgers, who were 28-7 going into their first game of the NSAA Class B State Volleyball Championships, won all three sets. However, the Griffins, who were 25-10 on the season prior to Wednesday,...

-EDITORIAL- It’s no secret that the Wi-Fi situation at Gretna East has caused mass opposition among students. With the school being a cellular service “dead zone” and the school not providing...

-REVIEW- American singer-songwriter, Olivia Rodrigo’s, sophomore album “Guts” emulates a refreshing new outlook on the teenage experience and Rodrigo’s personal troubles.  The album made...

Bursting into laughter, varsity volleyball players sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to freshman and varsity assistant coach Sierra Arnold. Sept. 19 was not only game day for the volleyball team but also her birthday.

Celebrating their victory, Varsity volleyball players high-five one another.